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‘Investment required in special education needs’ – Boyle

Investment is required in Special Education Needs provision
to ensure all children with learning disabilities are provided with the correct
support, Sinn Féin MLA Michaela Boyle has said.

The West Tyrone MLA was speaking as she opened a seminar
hosted by Mencap in Stormont today focusing on the importance of early intervention
for children with learning disabilities.

The Vice-Chair of the Assembly’s all-party group on Learning
Disability commented: “It is essential that children with learning disability,
like all young children, are provided with timely and appropriate early
intervention, support and protection to ensure they have the best possible life
chances. In achieving this it is essential that there is continued
investment in Special Educational Needs Provision. In constituencies
across the north there are reports that children are not accessing necessary support,
or being processed through the appropriate procedures, due to cuts to the
education budget. This is completely unacceptable. Vulnerable children
and families are paying the price for Tory/DUP austerity.”

Michaela Boyle continued: “It is Sinn Féin’s position that
it is completely unacceptable that the Education Authority is targeting cuts
towards children with special educational requirements, who are most in need
access to essential services.

“Sinn Féin have consistently made the case to both the
Department and the Education Authority that funding for special educational
needs should be protected.

“It is imperative that the Department and the Authority act
in the interests of children.”